Two minors tagged in killing of 3-year-old in Mountain Province

Trigger warning: Violence involving a minor

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police identified two minors as suspects in the killing of a three-year-old child whose body was found behind a church in Barangay Banawel, Natonin, Mountain Province, authorities said.

In a statement, the Mountain Province police condemned the killing and said the incident deeply affected both the local community and the law enforcement personnel involved in the investigation.

Police said the child was reported missing at around 2 p.m. on May 23 after the victim’s grandmother noticed the child could no longer be found. Residents immediately organized a search party to locate the missing child.

At around 7:30 a.m. the following day, the child was found unconscious behind a church in Barangay Banawel. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was later pronounced dead by attending physicians.

Following an intensive investigation conducted with the assistance of the Natonin local government unit and residents, authorities identified two minors as suspects in the case.

Police said the minors and their parents were referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Natonin for intervention and proper legal disposition under Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.